The Saxon CDU set the course for its energy policy at a party conference. Nuclear power and fracking are not taboo for them. Country chief Kretschmer also tried to be clear about the Ukraine war.
Schkeuditz (dpa/sn) - The Saxon CDU relies on nuclear power and domestic gas production to secure the energy supply in Germany. At a state party conference in Schkeuditz near Leipzig on Saturday, the Union decided on a leading motion in which it advocated the operation of all German nuclear power plants that can be reactivated until further notice. "We will need this nuclear power for the next few years," said government and party leader Michael Kretschmer. The Union also used the party congress to position itself on the Ukraine war. There was no dispute among the approximately 220 delegates.
Russia's war of aggression, which violates international law, must end as soon as possible. At the same time, new conclusions must be drawn from the situation, according to the Union. Security of supply has top priority.
The Saxony-CDU wants to work accordingly in the federal government for the promotion of domestic gas supplies. "As a brown coal country that has shouldered the corresponding burdens for decades, we expect the same from other federal states when it comes to gas." The previous rejection of fracking can only be explained with ideological reservations, as made clear by a commission of experts set up by the federal government.
The Union also committed itself to the expansion of renewable energies - and deviated from the coalition agreement with the SPD and the Greens. Wind turbines above forests and in opencast mining areas offer great opportunities, Sachsenforst should provide suitable locations for wind turbines, according to the party congress resolution. In contrast, the governing parties had formulated in the coalition agreement in 2019: "We exclude wind turbines in the forest."
Country chief Kretschmer also used his party conference speech for clear words on the war in Ukraine. "This war of aggression by Russia (...) is a major crime under international law," he said. There is no reason to justify this attack. "Of course we are on the side of the people who were attacked." It is clear that Ukraine must be supported.
However, the Saxon CDU leader also demanded that a discussion must be possible. When it comes to a question about war or peace in particular, it must be possible to "discuss the various positions openly and honestly with one another". Kretschmer had been widely criticized in the past for his statements - about a "freezing" of the conflict.
Kretschmer also took a position on citizen income and cannabis legalization - and rejected both. "The citizen's income in its current form is a mistake and that's why we as the Free State of Saxony cannot agree to it," he said. According to the federal government's plans, the citizen's income is to replace the previous Hartz IV basic security on January 1st.
Regarding the planned cannabis release, Kretschmer said: "Let it go!" You use it to open barn doors and create “organized crime on a large scale”. The delegates approved a motion according to which the Saxon Union is committed to ensuring that the planned legalization of cannabis "does not take place".
